One N.J. county has preserved nearly as much land about the size of Washington, D.C.

The Eagles held the first of two open practices at Lincoln Financial Field.

Hours before the first open practice, Eagles fans lined up outside Lincoln Financial Field braving the 95-degree heat for the opportunity to see their team run through plays for the first time since winning the Super Bowl back in February.

Injured quarterback Carson Wentz took part in the two-hour practice while Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles played spectator.

After practice the players walked to the center of the field and met members of the military to give away their jerseys, sign autographs and pose for pictures.

The team said more than 40,000 fans attended the first of two open practices, filling the lower bowl while spilling up to the second and third levels.

The Eagles will host the Pittsburgh Steelers Thursday night for the first preseason game of the season. The last open practice will take place Saturday at 10 a.m. at Lincoln Financial Field.

Tim Hawk may be reached at thawk@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Instagram @photog_hawk and Twitter @photogthawk. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.

The whole requirement in Bridgeton to buy $3 stickers to place on bulky waste can kill a moment of inspiration to clean out the garage, attic, shed or basement.

One of the more challenging aspects of being a mayor of a smaller city is the speed with which you go from one thing to another in a given week. One day you're wrestling with putting more police on the streets and tamping down gun violence, and the next, you're discussing bulky waste. That's not to say bulk waste isn't important, but it is a reminder that municipal government is mostly about the everyday things. 

In this case, it's about yellow stickers. Section 300-19 of the City Code states: "All residents who desire to have bulky waste or white goods picked up and disposed of shall first be required to pay for and obtain from the City of Bridgeton Tax Office, or authorized agent, a single-use Bridgeton trash sticker."

Over the past several months, I've spoken with many residents about their frustration with the requirements.

Before going any further, "bulky waste" is generally defined  as a bag or receptacle up to 40 pounds, any bundle and specifically PVC pipe or carpeting that isn't longer than four feet or heavier than 40 pounds. The category also covers "white goods" (large household appliances), bicycles, lawn mowers, furniture, etc. As things stand now, these all require stickers for curbside pickup. 

We instituted the sticker and fee because there was a problem with out-of-town people loading trash on our curbs. Also, some trash was furnishings and belongings left behind by former dwelling owners or tenants, or a from businesses or contractor trying to avoid dumpster costs. The point is, the sticker requirement kept the tonnage down. 

Homeowners' frustration at paying $3 per sticker comes partly because people folks believe the solid waste fees/taxes they already pay should cover bulky-item disposal. That's a fair point. I think of the airlines that charge extra fees for leg room, carry-on bags and air -- if you plan to breathe during the flight. You would think these would be included in the base ticket price, but sometimes they're not.

The other frustration is schlepping down to the tax office to buy a sticker every time you want to get rid of a bulky item. Truth be told, I can understand it. City Hall is only open weekdays when most people work and, if you're like me, you're not quite sure who an "authorized agent" is, or when they're open to sell stickers. The whole thing can kill a moment of inspiration to clean out the garage, attic, shed or basement. 

Even when you do buy stickers, you worry about where to place them on your refuse so that the enforcement people will see them. But, you don't want to make it too obvious. You don't want some knucklehead to come along and steal your stickers as a joke, or because they're too cheap or lazy to get their own. Then, you hope the sticker remains affixed to the tagged item, and that rain, snow or wind won't cause it to fall off. 

But, there was something else residents shared. They said that when you put it all together, the $3 fee, the trip to the tax office and the other inconveniences actually work against a cleaner community and encourage illegal dumping -- because people would rather dump their bulky waste in back alleys and wooded areas.

Those who want to do away with the sticker program believe the result will be less illegal dumping in alleys and the woods. I'm not so sure. What I will say, having spent the better part of eight years working to get the old City Park landfill capped, is that what we do with solid waste in our environment is no small thing.

With these concerns in mind, I will review with City Council the possibility of a four-month moratorium on the sticker requirement in order to gather data. Will eliminating the requirement mean less illegal dumping? Will it increase the tonnage of bulky items? Will a sticker-free program do both things?

Will people come from out of town in the middle of the night to offload their waste on our curbs at our taxpayers' expense? The choice could be yellow-sticker fees -- or higher overall disposal costs for all taxpayers.

Albert B. Kelly is mayor of Bridgeton. Contact him by phone at 856-455-3230 Ext. 200.

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The fair, opening Tuesday, is expected to draw thousands of visitors through its closing day on Friday.

It's all about agriculture.

The 59^th Salem County Fair is set to begin this week and again promises to highlight what truly gives New Jersey its nickname of the Garden State.

"It's probably the only fair around that's solely, strictly agriculture-related," said Yankee Eller during a recent year's preparations for the event in describing what makes this fair so special.

Eller is president of the Salem County Fair Association, an all-volunteer group, which organizes the fair.

Fair-sponsoring organizations include the Salem County Board of Agriculture, Grange, 4-H, Woodstown, Penns Grove and Vo-Tech FFA Chapters, the New Jersey Wool Sheep Breeders Association, Holstein Association, SJ Tractor Pullers, Third Star Fiber Guild, Woodstown FFA Alumni and NFO. 

Thousands are expected to again attend the four-day event at the Salem County Fairgrounds on U.S. Route 40, just west of Cowtown in Salem County.

The fair officially opens Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting at 6 p.m. in the main stage area, however, hours before that, judging of exhibits will already have taken place and competitions will be underway.

Like country fairs of the past held across America, the annual Salem County event will not only have hundreds of displays and activities, it will also be a social gathering where friends meet.

One of the new events this year is the Kids Rodeo Round-Up, where children will race a stick horse around a barrel, wrestle a hay bale steer, or try hula-hoop roping.

Other popular competitions for kids and adults at the fair include the Kiddie Tractor Pull, Skillet Toss, Pig Scramble, Ice Cream Making Contest and the Largest Tomato By Weight Contest.

There's always plenty to see and do. There are livestock judging and equestrian competitions ongoing continually throughout the four days of the fair.

Vintage photos of Salem Co. Fair

Exhibits include antique farm equipment -- including many restored tractors -- and modern equipment that today's farmers use in their daily work.

One of the unique things about the Salem County Fair is visitors -- especially the youngsters -- can visit the various livestock pavilions to see horses, cows, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens and rabbits brought to the fair by various local 4-H clubs up-close. There might even be the chance to pet some of them.

The public is also encouraged to show off their talents at the fair. The Open Class exhibits allow home gardeners, bakers, canners, photographers and crafters to compete.

Deadline for those Open Class entries is Monday evening.

The annual Salem County Fair Queen competition is set for Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the stage area with 10 young women vying for the 2018 title. A Little Miss Salem County Fair pageant is to be held Wednesday at 6 p.m.

No one will go hungry at the fairgrounds. There are numerous food stands and food trucks. There are also rib and chicken barbecues on the grounds.

The Heritage Building near the entrance to the fairgrounds' main display area gives visitors a look at farm life in the past.

On Thursday evening visitors will be treated to a grand fireworks display beginning at 9:15 p.m. Rain date is Friday at 9 p.m.

The fair's website at www.salemcountyfair.com has the complete schedule of events.

There is no admission fee, but there's a $10 parking donation that gives the holder a parking pass good for all four days of the event.

See you at the fair!

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips

Luis M. Perez writes that President Trump'snew tariffs will preserve jobs, and that his critics should be ignored.

Countries that have a huge trade surplus with the United States -- favorable to their own countries -- are "stealing" dollars, jobs and industries that should be here. 

Now, we hear an outcry from the wealthy Koch brothers, who support free-market Republicans financially, and from Washington politicians against President Donald Trump's response -- imposition of high tariffs on imports from some of these countries.

Usually, Trump's critics on this issue have invested billions of dollars in in industries in China, Mexico, Canada and Europe. It is rarely mentioned how their investments are hurting our domestic workers and  industries. These business owners do not care.

But, thanks to Trump, policies that disadvantage the United States  will change. The other countries with which we trade have a lot more to lose than we do. So, let them holler.

Americans are tired of being robbed by their own millionaires and corrupt politicians. 

Luis M. Perez, Glassboro

Thank Sweeney for beach smoke ban

As someone who loves going to the shore, I want to express my satisfaction that state Senate President Stephen Sweeney has led the way for prohibiting smoking on public beaches. (Gov. Phil Murphy signed a ban into law last month.) 

Our beaches are a perfect example of nature's beauty, and many of us travel hours to visit them with our families to enjoy that beauty. When a beach is filled with dirty cigarette butts and there is second-hand smoke blowing around children and adults who do not smoke, it dampens the entire experience. 

While I understand that smokers may not be thrilled with the ban, Sweeney, D-Gloucester, the law's principal sponsor, made sure the it provides the ability for towns to designate portions of their beaches as smoking sections. To me, this is more than fair.

I appreciate Sweeney's demonstration of simple common sense, and his willingness to protect the health and well-being of residents as well as our beaches. 

Gerry Michael, Gibbstown 

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The former fraternity house is where at least four women claim they were sexually assaulted by Stockton University students claiming to belong. Where does the school's responsibility end - if it ever does?

"Nobody home" is what NJ Advance Media reporters found recently when they visited a former fraternity house near Stockton University, where, four women allege in civil lawsuits, they were sexually assaulted by so-called fraternity brothers.

"Nobody home" is also what the four female students also found, figuratively, when they sought help of the university and outside law enforcement to bring the perpetrators to justice. While every single official agency involved with the women's complaints can say it followed through, the result suggests the women, all former students, feel just as abandoned as the dilapidated house on the White Horse Pike, with its peeling white paint, looks. 

The Galloway Township residence hasn't housed the university's chapter of Pi Kappa Phi since 2010, when its charter was revoked for alleged past misbehavior. Remarkably, though, students continued using the Pi Kapp name, continued living in the home, and continued until recently to throw raucous "fraternity" parties, including those where the women allege they were raped or assaulted. Although the building is off-campus, it fronts on the busy, and visible, White Horse Pike.

The lawsuits apparently result from frustration that only one fake "frat brother" has been charged with any crime, a relatively minor invasion-of-privacy charge, because he allegedly shot a video of one of the women while some disturbing behavior was taking place. His attorney has denied the charges.

Stockton's spokespeople suggest the university is in the clear, since the house no longer has any connection to the university. They use terms like "rogue group of people" to describe the post-2010 organization, and cite limited ability to deal with associations that take place off campus.

In any case, Stockton was well aware of the house's ongoing history, and so was local law enforcement. Records obtained by NJ Advance Media indicate that Galloway Township police responded to 59 incident calls at the address between 2008 and this past Feb. 16, 2018. It's believed that those living there may have abandoned the site once the lawsuits were filed.

The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office may not be done investigating the assault complaints, but many wonder why there has been just the one criminal charge, and why it wasn't filed until 14 months after investigators became aware of the video. The fraternity's national organization had little to say. Just as they do in fatal hazing cases, the national office notes that the accused chapter was shut down and, of course, it doesn't condone whatever happened.

At Stockton, students get credit for some of the awareness. At its annual March to End Rape Culture this past April, campus Women's Coalition organizers noted that several marchers carried signs with slogans like "#fakefrat." Coalition President Samantha Kelly said a verbal clash with one of the "frat brothers" may have been the first time anyone openly acknowledged being a member. Attorney Robert Fuggi, who filed the four lawsuits on behalf of the women, also helped bring the accusations out into the open. 

If the litigation proceeds, it will test Fuggi's claim that Stockton "can't hide behind the curtain of freedom of association" and should have done more than warn students about a rogue frat. 

For local- and county-level law enforcement, this is one of those situations that makes us feel uncomfortable about responsiveness, or a potential lack of same. No additional criminal charges may be warranted, but it would be reassuring if state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal were to step in and take a look at the investigative progress to date. 

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com

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A family-business owner from southern New Jersey writes that a $15 minimum would have unintended consequences that would hurt job prospects for New Jersey's working poor.

By Matthew Johnson

Living below the poverty line is difficult, even in the wealthiest country in the world. For low-skill workers, the prospect of earning less than $70 for a day's labor may seem daunting. However, the alternative is a prospect which is far worse.

Gov. Phil Murphy, Rep. Donald Norcross, D-1st Dist., and many activists have called for a $15-an-hour minimum wage. (New Jersey's minimum wage is now $8.60 per hour; the federal minimum is $7.25.) In New Jersey, an increase to $15 could be added to an existing state requirement to raise the minimum for annual inflation.

This, along with recent expansion of the state's paid sick-leave law, will raise the price of hiring new workers.

The idea of raising wages for the working poor seems noble. However, this act of nobility has an unmistakable side effect: pricing the working poor out of the labor market.

Everyone deserves to be treated equally. But many people -- including teenagers seeking their first job, prison inmates being released into society and workers with weak resumes -- have lower economic value than other potential employees. This is a simple fact of economics that cannot go ignored.

Lower-wage jobs give these less-desirable employees a chance to learn skills, build their resumes and gain valuable work experience. A $15-an-hour minimum wage will tell these challenged workers that their labor does not belong in the marketplace. For every low-wage worker who gains from the increase, there could be another worker laid off or someone who never gets hired in the first place. It should not be up to government to decide who wins and who loses in this delicate economic equation.

Several southern New Jersey counties consistently have higher unemployment rates than the rest of the state, and would be hit harder by these changes than our neighbors to the north.

As a volunteer and part-owner of Vineland businesses, I know about employment and the poor in our community. From my conversations with local business and nonprofit leaders, many say the prospect of a $15-an-hour minimum wage seems daunting for their organizations and the economic health of the region. 

Faced with this change and other regulations recently imposed by the Murphy administration, employers will be forced to make tough choices to remain competitive in our challenging environment. These choices could include accelerated automation, layoffs and job consolidation, more outsourcing or even business relocation.

These options would hurt the same low-wage workers that minimum-wage increases seek to benefit.

Rather than increase the minimum wage, why doesn't our government focus on increasing the earning potential of low-wage workers? Focusing on the minimum an employee can earn is regressive. We should seek to raise these workers' maximum wage. 

There are many ways to empower people for this. 

We could revise occupational licensing so that, for example, hair braiders can become more rapidly employed instead of having to take 1,200 hours of expensive, unnecessary classes to get government permission to practice their craft. We could decriminalize simple illegal possession of drugs, so that people who are dealing with this as a health issue would not have criminal records that block their employment. Finally, we can take advantage of how technology is rapidly changing our world by embracing the "gig" (independent contractor) economy instead of trying to regulate it to death.

We have tried high taxes, heavy regulations and wage mandates for decades in New Jersey and, as a result, we have ranked near the bottom of the economic growth ladder compared to the rest of the nation. 

With South Jersey's natural advantage of its shoreline and proximity to Philadelphia and New York City, we can thrive if we would just get out of our own way. It's time we started helping people empower themselves instead of seeking more answers in government mandates.

The working poor in our state desperately need this change of direction, and I think they would embrace it over a condescendingly mandated raise.

Matthew Johnson writes from Vineland. He co-owns some family-run small businesses and volunteers with multiple non-profit organizations that impact the poor. He is also the treasurer of the Cumberland County Young Republican Organization.

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Some districts are warning of devastating budget cuts. Is the state to blame?

In Haddon Township, students won't get new science equipment. In Toms River, officials are tapping reserves to stave off budget cuts. In Jersey City, the school board is eliminating 25 jobs. 

Across New Jersey, more than 150 districts have spent the past month scrambling to offset reductions in state funding announced in July, after they had already passed their budgets for the coming school year. The worst part, they say? Their state aid is set to get slashed again and again under a new state law. 

"This is a disaster," Jersey City School Board President Sudhan Thomas said at a special meeting last week to discuss the more than $3 million in lost state aid. "War has been declared on this district."

The combined $32 million in aid reductions are part of a complex school funding deal that increases New Jersey's education spending by more than $300 million for the upcoming school year and changes how some aid is distributed. 

That plan pumps millions more into both urban and suburban districts long underfunded by the state. But it comes with a catch: Some of the dollars headed to those underfunded districts is money taken away from others.  

Find out if your district is losing aid

State officials say those districts should lose money now because they were winners for far too long, collecting more than their fair share of state funding over the past decade. Local school leaders, however, argue the state is effectively robbing Pemberton to pay Paulsboro and setting up districts for devastating cuts in the years to come. 

The fallout underscores a practical and political reality of the latest school funding deal: Even if some districts were getting extra funding for all those years, the state was never going to be able to reduce it without affecting kids and angering school officials. 

"You spend what the state gives you," said Brigid Harrison, a professor of political science at Montclair State University. "No one ever says, 'Well, we don't really need that money.'" 

Less money, more problems 

Can the school districts that are losing aid still get by without those state dollars?

State officials say they should be fine. Local school chiefs disagree. And the answer isn't so simple, said David Sciarra, executive director of the Education Law Center. 

New Jersey's school funding formula tells the state exactly how much each district should spend, how much of a district's funding should come from the state and how much the district should generate in local property tax revenue. 

There are 172 districts losing state aid, and all of them have been receiving more than the formula says they need, with some collecting millions and millions in aid for roughly a decade. 

Of those districts, 153 have been spending at or more than the state says they should in order to provide a quality education, according an Education Law Center analysis. 

Those districts are better positioned to survive the state's seven-year phase-out of extra aid, but that doesn't make budget cuts any less painful, and any reductions could quickly drop them below their target spending level, Sciarra said. 

The districts in a more perilous position are the 19 that are seeing their state aid reduced even though they weren't spending what the state says is needed, he said. 

That group of districts hasn't generated enough local tax revenue to cover their responsibility for funding their schools, and state Senate President Stephen Sweeney has characterized them as using the state as a piggybank. 

"They can undertax locally because they get our money," Sweeney, D-Gloucester, said during budget negotiations. "Our money is leaving."

Sciarra argues those districts have been miscast by politicians. 

Some of the districts haven't been able to raise enough tax revenue because of the state's 2 percent cap on property tax hikes, Sciarra said. When chunks of their state aid disappear, they'll be left with little ability to make it up, he said. 

"This is the point we have been trying to make all along," said Sciarra, who opposed the state aid cuts.  

An uncertain future 

School officials in Toms River are already warning of "dramatic budget cuts" after this school year. 

The district received about $18 million in extra state aid last school year toward its $228 million budget, but still spent about $25 million less than the state says it needs to, according to an Education Law Center analysis. 

Now, the state is phasing out that $18 million, beginning with a nearly $1 million reduction this year, followed by incrementally larger reductions through 2025. 

District officials said property tax hikes won't be enough to avoid budget cuts. 

"Make no mistake," Superintendent David Healy wrote in a letter to parents. "Our district will be nothing short of gutted and fully decimated if something does not change with regards to the allocation of school aid." 

Neighboring Brick Township Public Schools is also spending below its goal and facing annual state aid cuts moving forward. Officials say the state funding formula doesn't accurately capture ratables lost in Hurricane Sandy and expects Shore towns to generate an unrealistic amount of property tax revenue.

The district will get by this year by using $1.3 million from its reserves and leaving six teaching jobs and two administrative positions vacant, Superintendent Gerard Dalton said.  

After that, he said, he's not sure what will happen. 

"We are worried about the future," he said. 

In Cumberland County, Commercial Township spent about $500,000 less than the state recommends last year. Now, it's losing about $1 million in state aid right away with more money disappearing down the road. 

The district just eliminated seven positions, including five layoffs, interim Superintendent Jean Smith said.  

"Devastating is the word I would use," Smith said. 

Murphy's proposed budget didn't reduce funding to any district, but he agreed to the changes as part of a compromise with Sweeney, who had pushed for a redistribution of school aid. 

Dan Bryan, the governor's spokesman, pointed to the fact that the state has attempted to soften the blow on some districts.

For instance, the state will allow some urban districts to raise taxes beyond the 2 percent cap to offset state aid reductions. And Murphy agreed to allow Jersey City to create a special 1 percent payroll tax paid by employers to generate extra revenue for its public schools. 

"Gov. Murphy signed landmark school funding legislation that sets the state on the path to a fairer and more equitable educational system," Bryan said. 

The state will also offer emergency aid for districts that are able to demonstrate fiscal distress, Department of Education spokesman Mike Yaple said. 

Even though the state aid reductions weren't Murphy's idea, he can expect to take the blame for them, Harrison said, even in districts that are spending more than the state expectation. 

"The reality is that if you try to level the funding, the schools that are receiving a disproportionate amount of money and see their aid reduced are going to have to belt tighten," Harrison said. "And that is not going to be politically popular." 

Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook

Olivia Rizzo may be reached at orizzo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LivRizz. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 

Elaine Lore asks how NJ101.5's 'Dennis and Judi' would feel about having their own relatives' religious garb mocked.

I have been reading the articles and editorials in the South Jersey Times about Dennis Malloy and Judi Franco, the radio personalities who thought it was amusing to refer to New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal in derogatory terms about the turban he wears as a member of the Sikh religion.  

I just wonder if Malloy or Franco ever wore a Miraculous Medal, a crucifix or a Star of David. They might want to ask their elders how they were treated years ago for displaying signs of their religions that weren't accepted or understood by others.

It's disheartening that we have come to accept such intolerance, lack of understanding and outright evil in our country. We are better than that. We were founded on principles that are better than that -- life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  Each person's life, liberty and pursuit of happiness should not have to be a carbon copy of what someone else expects.

Unfortunately, some in leadership positions feel it is expedient to put others down with no limits on how crude, rude or derogatory they are. It spills over into our political and public discourse, including radio and TV campaign ads aired prior to our elections. Broadcasters should be allowed to demand that statements in these ads are true and not misleading, and not just accept whatever the advertisers are willing to pay for.

As I've asked in previous letters: Is this really the America we want?

Elaine H. Lore, Pitman 

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Hickman Rowland Jr. died of his injuries two weeks after the collision in Salem County.

A grand jury has indicted a Penns Grove woman on charges of vehicular manslaughter and aggravated assault following a 2017 crash.

Dnita R. Hamilton, 33, was driving a Nissan on Telegraph Road/Route 540 in Alloway Township on Oct. 26, when she passed a truck on a double-yellow line, police reported.

Hickman smashed head-on into an oncoming Volvo driven by Hickman Rowland Jr., 77, of New Castle, Delaware.

Rowland was airlifted to Cooper University Hospital, Camden, where he died of his injuries on Nov. 13.

Two others were hurt in the crash.

Following an investigation, Hamilton was charged in March. A Salem County grand jury indicted her July 25 on second-degree death by auto and fourth-degree aggravated assault charges.

Hickman was involved in several maritime businesses. He was president of Wilmington Tug Inc., founded Delaware Bay Launch Service and co-founded Marine Lubricants Inc., according to his obituary.

He also established the Seaman's Center of Wilmington in 1990 to offer support for fellow mariners.

Hamilton will appear for a post-indictment arraignment on Aug. 13.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us: nj.com/tips.

You must be taller than this to view this gallery.

There are certain emotions that are wonderful and almost impossible to put into words. Falling in love for the first time ... holding your newborn child ... your lifelong favorite team winning the Super Bowl for the first time ever.

Now, close your eyes and try to recapture the feeling from childhood just before you walked through the gates of a carnival, circus or amusement park. It certainly ranks right up there.

And try not to trip getting off the ferris wheel.Greg Hatala | For NJ Advance Media 

There was a magical feeling of anticipation mixed with a happy mystery. You remembered your favorite rides and games and couldn't decide which was the first you were going to do. And you didn't know what new ones might have been invented, what new things a circus might bring to town.

The sensory stimulation was almost too much to handle - the sounds, sights, aromas, even the air had a unique quality to it. It was one of the few times in life that having things coming at you from all sides couldn't have been happier.

MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey

I'm one of those people who grows a little melancholy when something happy draws to a close, but at those places, the only thing you felt at the end of the day was a magnificent exhaustion. Kind of like celebrating a Super Bowl victory.

Here's a gallery of vintage photos from amusement parks, fairs and circuses in New Jersey. Don't see one of your favorite places to visit? Check these links to previous galleries.

Vintage photos of amusement parks, circuses, fairs and rides in N.J.

Vintage photos of amusement parks, circuses and fairs in N.J.

Vintage photos of amusement parks, fairs and circuses in N.J.

Greg Hatala may be reached at greghatalagalleries@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find Greg Hatala on Facebook.

The annual event keeps its focus on the theme of agriculture.

The 2018 Salem County Fair is well under way.

This is the 59^th year the fair was been organized by the Salem County Fair Association. The event remains true to its agricultural roots.

The fair's traditional opening ceremony opening was held Tuesday evening.

Miss Salem County Fair 2017 Isabella Briseno cut the ribbon to officially open the four-day event. She was joined by a number of local, county and state officials for the ceremony, including New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher.

Later in the evening Briseno would crown her successor at the fair queen pageant.

Molly Tyler was chosen as the 2018 fair queen. First runner-up was Toni Baker, second runner-up Kailyn Emmett and Miss Congeniality was Talia Priore.

Vintage photos of the Salem Co. Fair

There is plenty to see and do at the fair.

Various livestock competitions and equestrian events are being held each day. There are hundreds of exhibits at the fair along with a large variety of food. There are many contests to watch and also take part in.

The full schedule of events is available at the fair's website, www.salemcountyfair.com.

One of the highlights of the fair has become the fireworks display which is scheduled for Thursday night.

The fairgrounds are located on U.S. Route 40 in Pilesgrove Township, just west of Cowtown.

There is no admission charge, but there is a $10 donation for parking.

The fair runs through Friday evening.

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips

A unique deal to fill empty Cherry Hill Mall storefronts with a business incubator isn't as crazy as it might seem, and could bring added value to vacant mall space.

There's more than one way to fill chronic vacancies in an enclosed shopping mall, even a still-successful one, once all the fitness centers, yoga studios and ways to split a shared liquor license have run out.

Enter what sounds like a business incubator right inside the Cherry Hill Mall, just a shopping bag's throw away from the shoes that most people can't afford at Nordstrom's.

The Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, the multiple mall owner better known as PREIT, says it just leased 11,000 square feet of prime Cherry Hill space to a small chain of workspace sites known as 1776 Startup Network. Think WeWork, or the startup venture space for rent at Rowan University's South Jersey Technology Park.

If it wanted a South Jersey presence, 1776 likely could have found cheaper space in than a high-visibility section of the Cherry Hill Mall. Here's the twist, though: It's the high visibility and the Nordstrom eBar latte-carrying foot traffic that 1776 really wants. The company thinks it can attract startups that desire, and even depend on, real, live consumers for research and marketing purposes.

As explained by 1776 CEO Jennifer Maher: "We have a number of product-based companies within our (exisiting) space, but they are only selling from e-commerce. Getting space inside a mall or a retail district is incredibly expensive. So, if we can partner with PREIT to provide that space, we can provide all those product companies access to consumer foot traffic and exposure they never would have had before."

In other words, some companies want to add to limited feedback they can get from the internet to learn if something will sell on the internet. They can ask follow-up questions of potential buyers, and get instant response to design elements ("ugly shoe!") that might need changing. Last, but perhaps not least, entrepreneurs can determine if their e-commerce success is ready for brick-and-mortar prime time, which still dwarfs the Web in overall sales. They'll have a ready answer when Lori Greiner asks them during their "Shark Tank" investment pitch.

So, workspace among the 40-percent-off window signs could mark a positive trend for malls that have lost sales to click-or-swipe online retailing. 

Once caution is that what works at Cherry Hill can't necessarily be duplicated at more downtrodden malls. Moving scads of office space into Voorhees Town Center hasn't helped its indoor vacancy rate much. Even the food court, which should have thrived with a new, semi-captive lunch bunch, looks as if it's one or two closures away from abandonment. For a totally vacant space like Burlington Center Mall, there's no advantage for this kind of e-commerce firm to set up in a place with zero consumer traffic.

Area malls are running out of options and running out of time. Dave & Buster's, whispered by township officials as a desirable tenant for a chunk of Voorhees Town Center space, will instead open its first South Jersey alcohol-and-arcade emporium elsewhere, building from scratch next to the Gloucester (Township) Premium Outlets.

So, the business incubator idea is a worth a try for PREIT and 1776, even if some boundary issues develop. How much leeway will 1776 clients get to operate, in effect, as retail storefronts, selling to customers who otherwise would be browsing in Nordstrom's? Watch for a robust lease dispute if one of those startups sells those same shoes, or a really good knockoff, for $40 less than the department store.

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The New Jersey Clean Communities Council  has given its 2018 "Exemplary Service" award to Melinda Williams, the recently retired Salem County Improvement Authority solid waste manager. Williams, who retired after 28 years with Salem County and over two decades as its clean communities coordinator, helped develop and implement a variety of countywide comprehensive litter abatement and recycling programs. "Melinda...

The New Jersey Clean Communities Council  has given its 2018 "Exemplary Service" award to Melinda Williams, the recently retired Salem County Improvement Authority solid waste manager.

Melinda Williams shows her "Exemplary Service" award from the New Jersey Clean Communities Council. Courtesy photo 

Williams, who retired after 28 years with Salem County and over two decades as its clean communities coordinator, helped develop and implement a variety of countywide comprehensive litter abatement and recycling programs.

"Melinda gave so much," said NJCCC executive director Sandy Huber. "She came up with an efficient way of distributing clean-up gear for volunteers, making it easier for them to know what supplies were available before heading out in the field."

"The cleanup gear was labeled in a very detailed, easy-to-understand way. Melinda may have retired, but we are still using her methods," Huber said.

"Even though I'm not involved anymore, it was a major part of my life," Williams said. "The people were wonderful. Their passion to keep New Jersey beautiful is sincere and visible through their work.

"I find it so important to teach others what you know. It's what I tried to do throughout the years. Everyone wants a clean state. It's an ongoing task. But, if we all work together we can make a change," said Williams, a Carney's Point resident.

NJCCC is a comprehensive, statewide litter-abatement program that has served New Jersey residents and visitors for more than 25 years. Learn more at www.njclean.org.

Here's a roundup of recent home sales in Cumberland, Salem and Gloucester counties.

Alloway Twp.

-29 Locust Hill Court, Zachary and Andrea Wentz to Daniel T. and Lisa D. Roork for $320,000. 

Carneys Point

-57 Oak Lane, Route 48 Properties, LLC to NVR, Inc., doing business as Ryan Homes, for $56,000.

-161 Kugler Ave., Bayview Loan Servicing, LLC to Anthony W. Brown II for $226,000.

Commercial Twp.

-6806 Magnolia Drive, John Beauparlant to Allen and Dawn M. Brooks for $112,000.

Deerfield Twp.

-373 Morton Ave., John J. Puesi to Eileen Lewis for $225,000. 

Deptford

-160 Steeplechase Court, Simone Kosa to Rachel Fernicola for $140,000.

-180 Pennsbury Lane, George and Giacinta Roupas to Sharad Singh for $244,000. 

West Deptford

-105 Blue Heron Drive, Margaret Skalecki to Thomas and Patricia Foster for $272,000.     

Elk

-233 Solar Court, Valley of the Sun, LLC to Hilary M. Ryan for $346,600.

Fairfield Twp.

-392 Ramah Road, Cathy J. Barbagli to Alan S. and Mary E. Wilson for $150,000

Glassboro

-17 Weatherby Lane, Charles A. Carabasi to Alan and Rebecca J. Phillips for $330,000.

East Greenwich Twp.

-182 Billows Drive, Darwin B. and Tricia A. Lacorte to Honey L. and Anthony Pezzimenti for $287,500.

Hopewell Twp.

-13 Stranger Road, Ryan Olbrich to Gerald W. and Sandra J. Mosley for $165,900.

-24 Sheppards Mill Road, Robert V. Parenti to Anthony P. Escobar for $136,500.

-873 Barretts Run Road, Michael Gaffney to Carly and Curtis A. Downes for $380,000. 

Mannington 

-743 Kings Highway, Richard A. and Michelle O'Neal to Keith A. and Linda C. Holt for $235,000.

-17 Old Kings Highway, Khawar Saeed to Oasis Services, LLC for $35,000.

Millville

-409 Cedar Street, Bayview Loan Servicing LLC to Christopher Rosado for $116,500.

-426 Rieck Ave., Jeannette A. England to Kadijah J. Govan for $150,000.

-37 Sharp Street, Ackerman Investment Co. LLC to Deborah Kelly-Weldon for $185,000.

-1900 Bessie Way, Janet C. and Jerald A. Huckabee to Lawrence R. Farmer Jr.  for $229,000.

-1908 Edgewood Ave., Karen L. Henderson to Henry J. and Lettice M. Davis for $125,000. 

-110 South 8th Street, Riland 102 South Eighth Street LLC to 110 South Eighth Street Holding LLC for $245,000.

-603 Brian Ave., Britney Pierce Akilli to Amarilis Constanza for $166,000.

Mount Royal

-109 Edwards Run, NVR Inc. to Natalie Perez and Abner M. Mendoza for $328,920.  

Mullica Hill

-1685 Route 45, Curtis A. Downes and Carly E. Conrad to Monica A. Hallman for $271,000.

National Park

-207 Tenth Street, Kathleen Morgan and Doris Moore, co-executrixes of The Estate of Anna D. Stauffer, to Daniel and Denise Perrino for $199,900.       

Paulsboro

-1516 S. Commerce Street, Anthony R. Colosi Jr. and Lynn S. Mathis-Colosi to Adam P. and Joseph G. Layton III for $153,000.   

Penns Grove

-24 Grandview Court, M&T Bank to Riley Marcelena for $49,900. 

Pennsville

-25 Quaker Road, Kenneth A. and Candy L. Wallace to Carleton C. and Tracy J. Eastlack for $202,500.

-261 E. Pittsfield Street, MTGLQ Investors, L.P., by New Penn Financial LLC doing business as Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing as attorney-in-fact, to Robert and Jacqueline Sutton for $56,900.

-7 Williams Drive, Steven and Maryanne McIntyre to Joann LaBella and Kristen E. Rasefske for $150,000.

-60 Benson Ave., Mary E. Carpenter to Steven P. Lankenau for $165,000.

-100 River Drive Ave., JDF Properties, LLC to 100 River Avenue Land Trust for $52,000.  

Pennsville, Twp. 

-11 Lakeview Ave., MTGLQ Investors, LP to Robert and Jeri Urian for $70,000.

Pitman

-610 Elm Ave., Elva S. Ahrens to April Siktar and Drew Staman for $213,000.

-38 Evergreen Ave., BDB Properties, LLC to Richard H. Little and Brielle A. Middlesworth for $215,500.    

Pittsgrove

-18 Teaberry Drive, MTGLQ Investors, L.P., by New Penn Financial LLC doing business as Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing as attorney-in-fact, to Michael Wilcox for $230,000.

Salem

-55 Market Street, Steven Elwell, executrix of the Estate of Kenneth C. Elwell, to Amro Nagaty and Sumintra Baichan Elkabany for $30,000.

Turnersville

-1029 Hancock Drive, Carmen Sampona to Beth Carol and Anthony Caleb Summers and Clara and Moises M. Fligelman for $195,000.

-57 Country Club Road, I1 Homes LLC to Jaclyn A. Valiante for $240,000.

Vineland

-15 Glenn Terrace, John Franzoi and Patti Ann Wilson to Mavis E. Arboine for $177,000.

-746 West Wheat Road, Dolores R. Gardella to Clair A. and Tammy L. Lehman for $150,000.

-2486 Dahliadel Drive, Ellen Nunziato, Arthur and Edith Weiskope to Joseph Cuozzo for $170,000.

-1274 Garry Ave., William Orlandini to Chad Andrews for $139,000.

-1236 Magnolia Road, Frank and Paula Bellone to Sara Irizarry for $150,000.

-557 East Walnut Road, Leon Stanker, Norma Stanker and Robert P. Stanker to Samuel G. Hunter and Geneva Sewell for $138,000.

-398 Maurice River Parkway, Cleyon Lee and James Henry to Elmer Zapata for $150,000. 

Washington Twp.

-4 Comet Way, Leonard Goldberg and Rachel M. Garretson to Philip and Kristen Bottino for $270,000.

-452 Egg Harbor Road, Citibank, as trustee, in trust for registered holders of WAMU, to Gail M. Salamoni for $170,000.

-9 Trafalger Court, Michael and Nadia Liguori to Kenneth McLawhorn and Andriana Markano for $351,000.        

Williamstown

-925 South Black House Pike, Ruprit Real Estate Association, LLC to Williamstown Realty LLC for $380,000.

Woodbury- Deptford Twp.

-41 Craig Drive, Robert M. Rice, executrix of The Estate of George T. Rice Sr., to Derek James and Ashley Marie Stallwood for $132,000.

-120 Lupton Ave., Sharon D. Smith to Lauren E. Roberts and Devin C. George for $144,000. 

Woodstown

-45 Lotus Ave., Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to Vincent T. Isaia, Linda Widdowson and Ronald Mayro for $45,000.

South Jersey Times may be reached at sjnews@njadvancemedia.com. Follow us on Twitter @theSJTimes. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

The Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders were all smiles during Thursday night's game.

The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 31-14, on Thursday, August 9, 2018 (8/9/18) at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa. Neither quarterback Carson Wentz nor Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles played for the Eagles.

The fair will close on Friday evening, but there's still time to enjoy it all.

The Salem County Fair is beginning to wind down for the 2018 season.

But there's still time to experience all this unique country fair has to offer.

Friday is the last day of the fair's four-day run at the Salem County Fairgrounds on U.S. Route 40 in Pilesgrove Township.

There's a full schedule of activities on tap for the final day and evening.

Vintage photos of Salem Co. Fair

All of the displays are open and there are hundreds of animals of all types at the fairgrounds for the kids to see.

Country fairs have a long tradition in Salem County.

The fair today is organized by the all-volunteer Salem County Fair Association which was founded in 1959.

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips

The Eagles held their second public practice at Lincoln Financial Field.

PHILADELPHIA -- The Eagles returned to Lincoln Financial Field for practice Saturday morning, two days after their 31-14 preseason loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Approximately 35,000 fans were in attendance today, bringing the total number of spectators to more than 75,000 for the two public practices at the Linc.  

Returning to practice was quarterback Nick Foles, who sat out Thursday's preseason game with muscle spasms in his neck. Also back on the field were receiver Mike Wallace and running back Matt Jones. 

A number of players were absent from practice including running backs Corey Clement and Donnel Pumphrey, and receivers Nelson Agholor and Markus Wheaton. 

The Eagles' preseason games continue as they travel to New England Thursday night to play the Patriots in what will be a rematch of Super Bowl LII.

Tim Hawk may be reached at thawk@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Instagram @photog_hawk and Twitter @photogthawk. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.

Juan Alcazar Jr. took first place in two events at the rodeo Saturday night.

A Florida cowboy was the top money-winning contestant at Cowtown Rodeo Saturday night in Pilesgrove Township.

Juan Alcazar Jr. of Okeechobee, Florida, placed first in the steer wrestling to win $530.16. He also took first place in the tie-down roping to earn $460.29.

Alcazar's total winnings for the evening were $990.45.

Here are the results from the performance on Saturday night. They include the contestant's name, score or time, and winnings.

Bull Riding: None of the contestants made the required 8-second ride so each received $93.37 in ground money. Those contestants are Alex Melnyk, Ephraim D. Miller, John Leinaweaver, Juan Picon, Mike Adams, Parker Shimp, Robert Carter, Jr. Stevens, Brian Paulus, Troy Alexander, Scott Sellers, Grayson Cole, Boots Son, Lauren Ehrlich and Austin Beaty.

Steer Wrestling: First, Juan Alcazar Jr., 6.2 seconds time, $530.16; Wayne Van Van Dover, 6.7, $397.62; Chad Stoltzfus, 8.2, $265.08; Blake Naglak, 9.8, $132.54.

Tie-Down Roping: First, Juan Alcazar Jr., 14.4 seconds time, $460.29; J.R. Myers, 21.5, $354.07; Anthony L. Wenger, 24, $247.85. (Each contestant's winnings include $35.41 in ground money.)

Team Roping:  First, David Ballantyne and T.R. Serio, 7.7 seconds time, $669.30 each; Chuck Smith and Kevin Brown, 7.8, $501.98 each; Waylon Cameron and Ryan Whetham, 9.9, $334.65 each; Lance Hower and Brock Hower, 10.3, $167.33 each.

Barrel Racing: First, Christina Mulford, 16.63 seconds time, $422.53; Kerri Frazier, 17.63, $349.68; Kristin Weber, 17.69, $276.83; Jayme Myers, 17.87, $203.98; Beth Ann Borowy, 17.91, $131.13; Sandra Pomykala, 18.20, $72.85.

Information supplied by Cowtown Rodeo.